Northeastern defeats Harvard, 3-1

For 40 minutes, they played the definitive consolation game - lifeless and indifferent - but Northeastern and Harvard got the FleetCenter crowd warmed up with a spirited third period that supplied all the highlights in the Huskies' 3-1 win last night.

Mike Morris, a sophomore from Braintree via St. Sebastian's, had a goal and an assist as NU salvaged third place in the Beanpot. It's the fourth time in five years these clubs have been relegated to the game before a near-...

Consolation games are rarely any fun, but Northeastern goaltender Keni Gibson kept telling himself there was some importance to the early game against Harvard ``and it's a lot of pride. You want to have a good taste in your mouth by the end of the Beanpot.'' Mission accomplished, as Gibson made 31 saves in NU's 3-1 win over the Crimson ... As for NU coach Bruce Crowder, he hopes the win helps the late-season bid to make the Hockey East playoffs. ``It was one of those games...

They're the ones wearing the uniforms, they're playing the games. And yet, Harvard's hockey players shake their heads when you ask them about their baffling, exasperating, inexplicable winter.

``It looks the same to us as it does to you,'' captain Kenny Smith shrugged last night, after the Crimson had been upended, 3-1, by Northeastern in the Beanpot consolation game for their 12th loss of the season.